New Graduate...HELP!!!

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Hi,

This is my first post on here. I just graduated from a nursing program this May and am hoping to take NCLEX by July. Here's the background story...my boyfriend moved and got a job in Southern California. I, on the other hand, accepted a job offer in Pittsburgh, PA (our hometown). It was the only place that gave me an offer being a New Grad and I couldn't pass up the really great opportunity. I am hoping to work here for a year and then move out to California to be with him and find a nursing job there. Any advice on when to apply for license endorsement, when to start applying for jobs out there, any other tips? Is it hard to do? I've been worrying about how this is all gonna work for a while and figured I might be able to get some answers here by people who have experience!

Thanks so muchhh!

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From everything I've heard from the travel nurses I know, it can take months to get your California license. My cousin is out there on a travel assignment and it took her a little over 4 months to get hers if I remember correctly, but I've heard it can really depend, so you're probably better off giving yourself plenty of time to get your CA license prior to when you're planning on actually moving. As for applying for jobs, you're unlikely to actually get any calls for interviews till you have your CA license, so when you apply for jobs depends on when you get your license.

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I'm in Orange county and was able to find work with an ASN and two years of experience (in LA and Orange). I don't remember how long it took to endorse to CA, but I remember that it seemed very slow and the CA BON was very difficult to contact. I would give licensing at least 2-3 months. CA will want a lot of information from you, including transcripts sent directly from your school, even if you are already working in another state.

A lot of people will say wait until you have a job offer to relocate, but if you can move with some savings and your boyfriend can support you for a while, it might be easier to start looking once you move out here.

Good luck!

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Oh wow that is a pretty long time! Thank you for the response, I'll make sure I start that process sooner rather than later!

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Pangea,

I'm actually looking to move to Orange County! I just graduated with my BSN and am working in and OR here in Pittsburgh for about a year and then I was going to try and make the move. As for jobs in Orange, what's the outlook like with a year experience? I will make sure I give myself plenty of time to get the endorsement. When I get the endorsement from California will I still have a valid PA license as well as a California one? Thank you so much, this is all such helpful information, especially from someone in the area I'm looking at! :)

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Pangea,

I'm actually looking to move to Orange County! I just graduated with my BSN and am working in and OR here in Pittsburgh for about a year and then I was going to try and make the move. As for jobs in Orange, what's the outlook like with a year experience? I will make sure I give myself plenty of time to get the endorsement. When I get the endorsement from California will I still have a valid PA license as well as a California one? Thank you so much, this is all such helpful information, especially from someone in the area I'm looking at! :)

I sent you a PM.

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